THE LABOUR PARTY

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 138, 8 December 1931, Page 8

THE LABOUR PARTY

CHANGE OF LEADER?

DIVIDED OPINIONS

Kadical changes in the internal organisation of the Parliamentary Labour Party, involving the possibility of a change in the leadership, may be made at the beginning of the nest session of Parliament, according to opinions expressed by some Labour support: ers in Christchureh.

The question of the leadership of the party, says the Christchureh "Star," has been a subject on which there have been wide > differences of opinion among Labour, supporter's for , some years. Mr. H. E. Holland, who has held the position of leader since 1919, has the strong backing of the industrial section of the party, but there are many labour supporters who feel that he lacks the spectacular appeal that is necessary to carry the party to victory. Durhyj ■ his leadership all the members of the party have stood by him loyally, but he has never received unanimous support when the election of officers has taken place. In 1919, when the Labour Party first became an important factor in New Zealand politics, Mr. Holland secured the' leadership :on the toss of a coin, the' voting being equal between Mr. J. M'Combs ' and himself. Since then, Mr. Holland has been re-elected to the position in each Parliament, and it is recognised that, he has done the pioneer work very effectively.

Mr. M. J. Savage, the present deputyloader, is mentioned as the one most likely to be appointed to the . leadership if a change is made, but there is also said to be a fairly substantial body of opinion in favour of the selection of Mr. W. Nash, who is now national secretary of the party. ■ The appointment will be made a few days before the beginning of the'next session and will be for the term of Parliament. The result of the voting will depend on the attitude of the new members who.' have just been elected, and it is believed, the "Star remarks, that a majority will be in favour of a change.